“When I was thinking about  travelling across the Pacific, I never expected the many opportunities New Zealand had to offer. When our study abroad group arrived, we were welcomed by a Freedom Institute representative, Eliot, and right away I felt comfortable. New Zealanders are some of the kindest people I have ever met! While staying in a quaint little town called Hamilton we had daily discussions about the rich history of New Zealand.

We were imparted with knowledge about the Maori people, who are the heart of the country. As an indigenous culture, the Maori people were at the center of what was taught day to day. Waiata and Karakia become a regular ritual in the class, bringing one another together with song and prayer was a special experience. Even several days later I can’t stop chanting the stories in my head. Learning about this culture through Terri-Lee (mentor in everything Maori) was probably the best part of this trip. Not only was she well versed in her tribes background, but as a Maori woman, the class had an inside look into the culture.

My favorite part of the stay in New Zealand was taking part in an overnight Marae stay. This involved being welcomed onto a sacred meeting space of the Maori people through a special ceremony. After being welcomed, the formalities disappeared and the ceremony turned into a festive gathering of stories, food, laughs, and cultural exchanges throughout the evening. The following day the group got to take part in the preparation of a traditional feast called a Hangi, which is an oven dug into the ground and all the food is placed strategically in a basket to cook for four hours. The feast was delicious  and consisted of pork, chicken, and veggies with a savory smoky flavor.

It was a bitter sweet depart, saying goodbye to my new Maori family. We worked, sang, and cleaned together to make something amazing. If it weren’t for the scholarships and support I received from St. Petersburg College, none of this would have been possible. I can’t wait to take advantage of more study abroad opportunities in the future and see where the world takes me!”-Symantha Senn-Busingye, SPC student, New Zealand 2018

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